Somatic languaging engages the relationship between mind, body, brain and action.

As embodiment practitioners, why is this important?
Because sensation is the most basic language of the human body. It offers immediate wisdom into our embodied unconsciousness at any given moment.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. As a brief overview, the sympathetic system controls “fight-or-flight” responses. In other words, this system prepares the body for strenuous physical activity. And the parasympathetic system regulates “rest and digest” functions which is experienced when we’re chilling out, enjoying some self care and ultimately resting.

Throughout the course of a day, week, month or year our nervous system is in complete flux, chopping and changing in order to keep us safe and out of harms way. When people show up to practice with us, to help them feel welcomed and calm when they walk in the door or step onto their mat, it’s their nervous system which communicates to the body letting it know if it’s safe to relax here or if its time to flee. Hence, if our intention is to cultivate a safe, loving and beautifully held environment for our students, our languaging and communication skills speak volumes here especially to our nervous systems!

Fear response = Fight, Flee and Freeze. Our body responds with increased heart beat, shallow breathing, tension, sweat, dry mouth and alertness.

Relaxation response = Rest, Digest and Repair. Our body responds with yawning, muscle relaxation, easy breathing, hunger or thirst and a soft sensation throughout our entire being.

Like many facets of todays life, it’s all about balance. Our optimal functioning state is feeling calm and interested, engaged and able to focus, connected and tuned in, empathic towards others and emotionally balanced.

When we guide a yoga practice, kriyas, movement meditation and freeform movement our language changes to speak directly to the cells. We speak to the embodied experience of being human. Our words carry a vibration and a certain frequency which can be felt by everyBody in the space and it sets the tone for the nervous system.

Our voice is calm and clear with an even tone. We use invitational languaging, open contemplative questions, reflective suggestions and shift the focus from the doing mind into the feeling heart. This way our students feel safe enough to not worry about any impending danger and can feel safe enough to surrender and drop into the rest, repair and receptive experience.

In doing so we create a safe space for movement exploration and a deep state of meditation to emerge, unfold and blossom forth. We hold this safe container for our community to come as they are, to feel the inner workings of their unique bodies and to express their highest truth in the dance.

Becoming fluent in the language of sensation opens up a new paradigm to connect to self and everyBody who joins us on and off the yoga mat. Does this interest you to find out more?

Somatic languaging is just one aspect we’ll be covering during the learning to lead movement meditation, Yoga Trance Dance teacher training. I honestly can’t wait to share more on this topic!

Join us at the healing oasis of the House Of Moons in the Byron Hinterland (Bundjalung country) as we transverse these movement pathways together.

23 – 28 February 2023

Open to all certified yoga teachers seeking to upgrade their teaching repertoire in 2023. Offsite attendance welcome. Reach out to chat further!